Galaxy Macau is a casino resort located on the Cotai Strip, Macau, China. Construction on the Cotai project began in 2002. Its opening was rescheduled several times. Its developer, Galaxy Entertainment Group, announced on 10 March 2011 that the HKD 14.9 billion resort would officially open on 15 May 2011. The resort is designed by Gary Goddard. The resort consists of six different hotels, each with its own 'theme', Galaxy Macau, Broadway Macau, Banyan Tree, Hotel Okura, The Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott.
History
When the Cotai project's first phase opened in 2011. The property offered around 2,200 hotel rooms comprising the 1,500-room Galaxy Macau hotel tower complete with casino and entertainment areas, as well as two hotel partners, the Japanese-owned 410-room Hotel Okura and the Singapore-operated Banyan Tree Hotel that will have 254 suites. On 26 April 2012, Galaxy Macau announced that JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels would be added to the Cotai resort. Galaxy's Chief Financial Officer Robert Drake said it would start construction of the two hotels at the end of 2013 and begin operations gradually from 2016 through 2018. According to a presentation released by Galaxy Entertainment, the total investment for Galaxy Phase 2 was estimated to be 16 billion HKD with construction completion scheduled for mid-2015. Phase 2 would consist of of new resort space, an additional 3600 hotel rooms and increasing the casino table count by 500.
Attractions
Grand Resort Deck with wave pool and artificial beach
The Grand Resort Deck offers scheduled all-day water activities. It was expanded in May 2015 to 75,000 square meters. It can be used by the Galaxy Hotel guests. Day passes are also sold to non-hotel guests. The grand resort deck
Fortune Diamond
Every 20 minutes, the Diamond Lobby's main attraction, the fountain displays a giant Fortune Diamond, accompanied with music. This show spans 5 minutes. At the start of the show, the accompanying music begins and the fountain exteriors are raised with the above chandeliers raising as well, to cover for the diamond rising. Then, the exterior fountain drops to reveal a large diamond spinning around with overhead lamps shining across it, displaying several colours. After its spin, the fountain exteriors raise again to hide the diamond and the fountain exteriors drop to its normal positions, thus ending the show. Jeremy Railton, President of Entertainment Design Corp, commented, "It's a metaphor for wishing casino goers eternal luck and prosperity."
Wishing Crystals
The lobby also houses a series of "crystals" that float above a pool of water. The decorations have motion sensor technology that triggers special visual effects when guests come close. When all the "crystals" are activated, good luck symbols flash from the "crystals" and reflect in the water.
There are 6 gold-covered cupolas at the top of the two towers of Galaxy Macau. Four of them measure high and the other two at.
Galaxy Laserama
The gold-leaf cupolas of Galaxy Macau feature a laser show system which projects laser beams into the sky every 15 minutes. It is claimed to be the largest laser show in the world and is visible across Macau.
UA Galaxy Cinemas
On 15 December 2011, Galaxy Macau opened UA Galaxy Cinemas & East Square. Action star Jet Li and director-producer Tsui Hark were among the VIP guests to celebrate the occasion. The opening programme included the premiere of Tsui's latest work, The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate 3D, China's first 3D wuxia movie, which stars Li, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun and Gwei Lun-mei.
Hotels in Galaxy Macau
Future development
On 9 January 2014, Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd announced that the Michelin 3 Star 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana restaurant will be a feature at Galaxy Macau's under construction Ritz-Carlton hotel. The next three phases of Galaxy Macau is estimated to cost $70 to $80 billion HKD according to the 21st Century Business Herald reports. These phases would be focused on entertainment, culture and sport rather than gaming and gambling. The next hotel may will be The Intercontinental Macau and The Hilton Hotel Macau.
